The boat that was carrying the three youngsters steadily and carefully waded through the flaming sea, the Amphitrite's cannons covering it. Alice and Albert's hearts were beating louder than the drums of war resonating around them as they drew closer to the heavily guarded shore, but the equanimity the princess showed helped calm their feelings of uneasiness. The young man anchored the boat in a deserted promontory overcrowded by old trees with heavily dangling branches to avoid dealing with the Wilshire's soldiers. The three youngsters sneaked between the mountainous paths making use of every rock, bush and corner they luckily came across as the battle brewing meters away from them across the blue drove the guards attention. Humid breezes tickled their faces as they entered the cave which had a very narrow entrance; it was probably from the hidden water lying dormant under the solid coverlet. They took the path the princess directed them through. None of the three dared to speak a single word; excitement mixed with fear silenced them. They were few steps away from saving their people and the images of their families jumped to their minds. They mended their pace but suddenly, upon arriving at a stony gate guarded by two enormous statues of ancient water gods. They were perfectly sculptured, untouched as their divine status by the humidity or passage of time. not a dent, not an eroded features could be caught by the lookers eyes. One of the gods was holding a sword, its shaft descending along his robes in the form of agitated waves, a determined look carved to his frowning face. The other one, had a humble expression, with a head lowered slightly as his giant hand held a basket and the other plentiful of various fruits and blossoms. His basket was dropping with water in the shape of pearls, as if it was a tissue holding his tears. They had a contrasting countenance and features yet they stood at each side of the gate in perfect harmony, one completing the other. The princess sat on a rock holding to the key. Albert and Alice eyes her in owe saying nothing, as they did not wish to disturb the princess who looked deep in thoughts. Albert looked around; the walls were smooth from the inside, glittering like sheets of ice, drops of water trickling like tears. It was so surprising that no guards or soldiers were appointed to this most important place, the entire war was for the purpose of obtaining it, at least that was the façade, but to leave it unprotected was pure negligence that he could not believe would escape Iris's mind. Was a trap? Was something more dreadful waiting behind the two statues? Were they magical?!
"Perhaps she is preparing for the ritual."
Alice, no longer bearing the uncomfortable silence, whispered to Albert who nodded in agreement. The princess as if she had heard them, stared at the two statues explaining:
"These are the two water guardians. They represent the two powers of water; the boon and the destruction."
Albert understood what the priestess princess was referring to. He had heard of the two charms from Alex, and had seen her go into his cabin shortly before arriving but he did not know which charm Alex had given her, and he trusted she was not as simple as she appears to be to be fooled by him. Still, he wished to warn her but the princess went on:
"It is said that in order to preserve these pure drops of water in this sacred place where the gods used to gather, these two guardians had to sacrifice themselves. Because of this they ascended heavens and became themselves the gods of water."
Albert raised his head; these last few words fell on him faster than a thunderbolt and before he could comment on the ancient story, Selene had stood and turned gently at the other girl:
"Could you please stay here and watch for the place for us while Albert and I go in?"
Though disappointed, the good – natured girl could say nothing to the princess's request. She remained behind by the statues as the two went through the stony gate.
Sparkling like crystal shards was the chamber the gate led to. Barely through the low mist which filled the place like a transparent carpet they could see few drops of water flowing shyly through small holes shaped like eyes covering the shimmering walls. The inside to the chamber resembled a veil of white voile hiding a lady's tearful eyes that ran down wetting her cracked lips, down where a fissure lied in the place of a once full grand lake.
"I am surprised no one is taking care of this place."
Albert said to break the silence but the princess was too interested in speculation and answered on a guess.
"That is her will, I can see."
Albert looked confused, who was she referring to? Iris Wilshire?!
The princess took off her white hood revealing her another simple white and blue costume with translucent flowing sleeves, the costume of a water priestess. She wore no jewels except for a grand necklace shining like diamonds although it was just clear simple stones, resembling the ones constituting this cave. Her hair flew freely down her back. Even her foot were bare at this point. Albert watched her walk toward the dry lake. As the princess started to vanish from the boy's sight through the heavy mist, he called to her loudly, extending his hand and hoping she will stop. It was him who rushed her to this place, who rushed to her demise, he finally realized. The young princess stopped to hear what the royal officer had to say for their last meeting. He walked few steps in her direction but found his legs failing him as his breathing grew difficult. The air around the lake was so dense and heavy, it stopped in his nose and pulled down his strength. Indeed, Princess Selene was a powerful woman, a strong priestess, a pure hearted girl. Still, he managed to speak through the pain in his chest:
"Is not there some other way without you having to..."
He could not go on with the words, her highness watched him struggle with the concept with a calming smile. She replied with a simple answer.
"Nothing precious in this life is obtained without a sacrifice."
Albert was silenced, he would look so simple – minded if he argued with her about this for it was true. Still, watching her departing that easily was so painful to accept.
"But you are a very good person! Why do you have to die?! You, a very good and gentle person should sacrifice yourself while other bad people live..."
The princess's smile grew more lightening her elegant face with more beauty and tranquility. She understood his notions, but could not agree with them.
"Albert, there is no person who deserves to live and another who deserves to die. Life is not a single chance. When you want to help someone, you do it regardless of that person's nature. Only a short time is given to make this decision and during that time, it is your simple human instinct which acts. It is these brief instances when we are the most honest with ourselves that help us to stay as pure as when we are first born. I am pretty sure this is how your father was thinking when he decided to rescue Alex's life. Albert, you have a wonderful father!"
Albert was taken back, how did she know? But then again, how can any truth or fact escape these wide innocent eyes? Still seeing a trace of doubts and uncertainty in the young man's heart, the princess told him.
"Albert, Alex wanted to see me before our arrival here. He showed me the two charms and asked me to choose blindly. I knew my instincts would not fail me, and he realized that but still decided to throw a dice into his game. I think he was affected by another's plight. My friend I need you to remember this; even the hardest stones sometimes spring with water."
Albert could not hide the shock on his face. He had been faced with so many revelations lately, but to realize he was a factor behind one of them was something else, he felt his sorrows and sufferings were at last validated by giving a meaning or leaving a trace in another's heart. Despite Alex's thirst for revenge, he did not trick or force the princess into choosing the wrong charm. Seeing him process these thoughts, she went on:
"Knowing how to be weak, this is what makes us compassionate with each other. We are like these drops of water, a single one will not do a thing but together they form that everlasting river of feelings and struggles enriching our lives. The river ramifies but it has one source... if everyone understood this, then the world would have definitely become a different place, the place it was meant to be."
Albert listened to every word with a pained heart. They were no strange words to his ears... it is what his heart had always reechoed yet failed to hold enough courage to maintain this belief. It is the reason he wanted to set sails and go in the first place, to bring people together in his own way. Yet, now no more doubts shall be allowed to taint his heart, and no more hesitation; it was washed anew in this place. Vowing to never change, he wanted the princess to be his witness but she had already arrived at the center of the lake where she kneeled to pray a little while putting the key through the engraved lock.
"Princess!"
His call faded in his throat, so the princess said one last time wishing to bring relief to the confused heart of the young man watching her in distress.
"Everyone is destined to do a specific thing in his life, and this is mine. Albert, you are destined to travel the world so hold on to this!"
As soon as she put the key through the lock, cracking sounds were filling the place, the carved eyes widened, the drops falling from them rhythmically increasing and intensifying. The fissures between the stones grew wider, and the mist began to clear.
"During my life, I was unable to do a lot of things. There were lots of people whom I wished to help but was too weak to. Now, I can be useful to my people... finally... I am truly glad... there is not even the slightest shade of fear or hesitation in my heart, I am doing this with my full will and resolve! I cannot hope for anything more... at last, I am truly glad!"
Step after step through the transparent clearing mist, the thin beams sneaking from the mountains pores were growing larger as they lit the hair let down the priestess's shoulder coloring it by their colors. She kept heading forward until the troubled young man could see her or trace her figure yet her delicate words reached the boy's heart like these beams of sunlight, permeating through the sea water lighting the dim bottom they have embraced for far too long.